Philadelphia, PA -- January 8, 2001 -- Musician Chubby Checker is adding a new twist to the snack food business: He's launching a line of beef jerky.

The 59-year-old king of the "Twist" says his new meat snacks will come in flavors that include "Hot Twist Hickory," "Sugar Twist Teriyaki" and something called "Invisible Strength Hickory Flavor of the Forces."

Checker says the jerky is just the beginning of an entire line of Chubby snacks which will include Chubby Checker hot dogs and Chubby Checker chocolate.

The new beef jerky line will make its debut at a food trade show in Illinois next weekend and, later this month, Checker will introduce the "Twistasizer" -- an exercise machine modeled after his famous dance.